Hundreds of Dutch churches to be closed over next 10 years

Around 25 to 35 percent of the present 2,300 Protestant churches in the Netherlands will permanently shut their doors over the next 10 years. Most of the closed churches will be sold to other Christian groups or religions like Islam. There are no plans to put up unused churches for commercial sale, according to PKN. The character of the divine house must be maintained, the PKN said in an internal discussion paper. A severe shortage of financial means and a dwindling number of church visitors is said to be the primary reason for the mass closings.